I'm not sure why I fixated on the Multipla, but I've been fascinated since the very first time I saw a picture of one. It took another five years to finally see one in person, and it was even cooler than the photos. I guess part of the reason I love them is that they exemplify a minimalist but utilitarian ideal - what other car can carry six passengers on 633ccs - and be the most stylish car on the road while doing it? For someone who loves the idea of 'Less is More,' the Multipla is sort of the perfect vehicle.
You can imagine, then, exactly how far my eyes bugged out when Dave Smith sent me a link to an Afghanistan Hippie history webpage that included a few photos of two guys driving their Multipla across the Middle East in the late sixties.

In 1969, two young Australians, Bruce Thomas and Stuart Harper, pooled their plans to drive overland from India to the UK. Harper had already purchased a 1961 Fiat 600 Multipla (for $175!) They had it overhauled and arranged to ship it to Sri Lanka, where they began their overland journey.
The ensuing trip was nothing short of epic - I can't do it justice with a summary, so do yourself a favor and just click over to Bruce Thomas' Flickr page and follow the story -- with more than 250 photos -- direct from him. All I can say is WOW...

About Me

I spend somewhere near 40% of my waking hours obsessing over old cars. Usually, this obsessing revolves around an improbable American micro car from the midcentury period-- the Crosley. My fascination began with a quest to strip down my life by driving the world's simplest car.
Turns out that nothing is as simple as it seems.